The origins of the computer network date back to 1950 when it was mainly used for military purposes. Operating on telephone lines to transmit information, these early computer networks were indeed quite limited.
However, computer networks have evolved considerably since then. They have also contributed to the many major advances recorded in the digital world.
Today, with the Internet in particular, these digital systems form the basis to which computers and many other computing devices connect to interact.
Discover here the principle and operation of a computer network.
The computer network: What is it?
A computer network is a set of computers and electronic devices connected to each other by cable, radio or wireless. However, the exchange of data between these devices takes place according to certain rules governed by communication protocols.
We mainly distinguish between the TCP/IP protocol and the protocol based on the OSI model. More common and organized into 5 layers, TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) allows communication on the Internet. The OSI model is organized into 7 layers.
How does a computer network work?
Different approaches allow us to understand how a computer network works. They are also quite complementary.
The client, server and network infrastructure
Three main parts make up a computer network, namely the server, the client and the network infrastructure. The main mission of the server is to store and provide resources to client machines. The client in turn accesses data and other resources from the server.
Finally, the network infrastructure brings together the devices that ensure the connection between servers and clients. These include cables, routers and switches.
Computer network nodes and links
To understand how a computer network works, the concept of links and nodes is also important. A network node is either a DTE (data terminal equipment) or a DCE (data communications equipment).
Computers and printers, for example, are DTE nodes of a computer network. As a DCE node, we can cite the hub, the switch and the router. Finally, links are the wired connections or free space used by wireless networks.
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The topology of a computer network
Links and nodes are arranged in different ways in a computer network to have specific results. We talk about the network topology. We distinguish among others:
- Bus topology;
- Ring topology;
- Star topology;
- Mesh topology.
In the bus topology, a node can only have one connection with another node. The data is then transmitted in one direction only. The ring topology, on the other hand, connects each node to two others and data can flow in both directions.
More efficient and reliable, the star topology connects a central server node to client machines on the network. Finally, with mesh topology, each node is connected to every other node in the network.
Computer network architectures
In addition to the network topology and the communication protocol which define the operation of a computer network, these networks belong to two architectures: peer to peer or client-server.
L’architecture peer to peer
The peer-to-peer or peer-to-peer computer network is the most basic and oldest. The machines connected to such a network are connected by wired connection and they have the same privileges.
In fact, on this architecture, there is no server responsible for ensuring coordination. Connected devices can function as a client or as a server. They can then exchange processing power, memory and other resources with the entire network.
Client-server architecture
More modern, the client-server architecture works with one or more central computers which play the role of server. They distribute resources to other devices on the network.
Server nodes can also manage the behavior of client nodes. Clients, for their part, can send a request to a server in order to access certain data.
What are the functions of a modern computer network?
Today, the world is more than ever a global village due to significant advances in computer network technologies.
Modern computer networks and the Internet in particular make a gigantic mass of resources and data accessible from anywhere, almost in real time.
Sharing and access to information are thus greatly simplified, both for daily personal and professional uses. In practice, they allow:
- To have precise operation;
- To strengthen data security ;
- To have a large-scale and high-performance network;
- To have a better capacity to adapt;
- To share impressive digital resources efficiently.
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As computer networks become more and more efficient and comprehensive, their security levels are also evolving. Given their importance and the sensitivity of the information they may contain, they rightly incorporate security solutions.
Encryption, cryptography and access control are usually the basic security measures. They are reinforced with antivirus, anti-malware, firewalls, etc.
The main types of computer networks
There are several types of computer networks and they are best suited to given uses and needs. We distinguish in particular:
- The PAN network (Personal Area Network);
- The LAN network (Local Area Network);
- The MAN network (Metropolitan Area Network);
- The WAN network (Wide Area Network);
- The GAN network (Global Area Network).
Without geographical limits, the GAN network is the most extensive. It generally uses satellites and submarine cables. The world's largest network, the Internet is one such computer network.
Conclusion
Thus, the operation of computer networks depends mainly on their network protocols, their topologies and their architectures.
However, they are all made up of nodes (servers, clients, routers, etc.) linked together by wired or wireless links to ensure data sharing. Finally, to know how a computer network works, you must also take into account its type.